Now Available: New Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan

The new Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan was approved by Council on January 20, 2026, with the new financial incentive programs in effect as of February 13, 2026.

The new CIP establishes a framework to enable the provision of grants and other financial incentives to support community revitalization objectives, including:

  • Environmental Sustainability – Encouraging brownfield remediation, low-impact development measures, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings
  • Urban Intensification – Supporting redevelopment of underutilized lands, promoting mixed-use and higher-density development, and enhancing walkable, transit-oriented communities
  • Economic Prosperity Generation – Stimulating investment in employment areas, business growth, and tourism development to strengthen the local economy.

For more information on the approved CIP Programs, please visit the City’s CIP Webpage.

Council adopts Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan

On December 9, 2025, City Council approved a new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that brings several older plans together into one clear, city-wide program to support reinvestment, redevelopment, and community revitalization across the city.

The new CIP includes five financial incentive programs to support growth and renewal:

  • Brownfield Environmental Study Grant - Helps cover the cost of environmental studies on contaminated or underused sites.
  • Brownfield Tax Increment Grant - Encourages the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites by rebating a portion of increased property taxes after redevelopment.
  • Urban Infill Tax Increment Grant - Supports redevelopment of underused properties, especially mixed-use and higher-density projects in key areas.
  • Employment Generator Tax Increment Grant - Helps attract and keep major employers by reducing municipal tax impacts for new or expanding jobs.
  • Streetscape Improvement Grant - Helps property owners improve building fronts, accessibility, heritage features, and overall streetscape appearance.

The new CIP is expected to take effect on February 12, 2026, following the appeal period, and will help encourage investment, job creation, and community renewal across Niagara Falls.

View the Report.

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a policy and financial tool used by municipalities to support community development. Enabled under Section 28 of the Planning Act, a CIP allows the City to offer financial incentives and other support to help advance local goals, such as creating more affordable housing, attracting businesses and jobs, promoting sustainable development, and revitalizing neighbourhoods.

Our city is growing, and with growth comes both challenges and opportunities. We’re facing rising housing costs, climate change, and the need to use land more efficiently. At the same time, we have opportunities to support local employers, build more diverse housing options, and shape a greener, more resilient future.

The City’s current CIP programs have been in place for many years. However, uptake has been limited, and the programs no longer reflect today’s priorities or Council's strategic direction. A new CIP will help us focus our efforts where they are most needed.

June 18th Open House

Thank you to those who attended our June 18th Open House! View the display boards.

October 8th Open House

Thank you to those who attended our October 8th Open House on Preferred Program Options! View the display boards.

Proposed CIP: Statutory Public Meeting - December 9, 2025

The Draft Proposed Niagara Falls Comprehensive Community Improvement Plan is now available for public review.

The full Community Improvement Plan Draft is available for public review before the December 9th Statutory Public Meeting.

Project Update

The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) will be presented to Council for adoption on January 20, 2026, following the Statutory Public Meeting held on December 9, 2025. The Council report and the final Community Improvement Plan, which reflect input from public and stakeholder engagement, are available for review here.

What will the new CIP do?

The new CIP will focus on the four Council priority areas:

  • Economic Prosperity Generation

  • Environmental Sustainability

  • Urban Intensification

It will provide the City with updated financial incentive programs and implementation tools to support these priorities. For example, the CIP could provide grants or rebates to property owners, developers, or businesses undertaking eligible projects that meet specific criteria, such as building new rental housing, improving building energy efficiency, or revitalizing underused sites.

By aligning these tools with Council’s goals, the CIP will help the City direct investment where it can have the greatest impact.

Housing Incentive Program Update Underway

To address community priorities, the city is exploring options for incentive programs to help advance efforts for affordable and attainable housing. Through public and stakeholder engagement, the City is interested in feedback on which ideas and tools would help advance housing efforts in the city. Draft program options will be reviewed at an upcoming Public Open House and through meetings with stakeholders.

Affordable & Attainable Housing

Visit the engagement page to learn more!

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Shannon McKie

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